In answer thereunto we state, that in the month John Ryssen who represented himself of May, 1654, one as being commissioned by the Crown of Sweden, arrived, with a certain ship and some people, in the New Netherland province of the Incorporated West India Company of this country and there, contrary to the law of nations, made himself master of the aforesaid Company's fortress named Casimier,^ situate on the South River, and thus dispossessed us of a place which we had occupied for many years in peace and quietness. Being advised thereof by the Director-General, we chartered the ship the Waeg last year from the Worshipful Burgomasters of this city, and sent off some soldiers in her to recover the aforesaid fort from the said Jan Rysen, and to bring it under the Company's obedience. This being accomplished, he resolved to repair hither with some people, and embarked on board one of the three ships, which having sailed from New Netherland, first ran into Plymouth in England by contrary winds, and now have arrived in the Texel. The papers and documents were handed us, for the first time, to-day, so that we have not yet had any opportunity to examine them. Notwithstanding, we could not omit advising your High Mightinesses of what precedes in order that pursuant to your request, the earliest information may be furnished ; yet we offer to be prepared to submit to your High Mightinesses a full report of what has occurred, should you consider it necessary. Wherewith,